Riverdale, NY (October 24, 2003)- Manhattan College freshman forward Jess Garcia broke a 0-0 tie at the 83:36 mark to give the Lady Jaspers a 1-0 MAAC Conference win over the visiting Canisius College Golden Griffs today at Gaelic Park. Manhattan improves to 5-10-0, 5-1-0 MAAC, while Canisius falls to 1-11-1, 0-6-0 MAAC.
Both teams had excellent scoring chances in the first half, but in each case the opposing goalkeeper was up to the task. Manhattan's Brandy Luther had a look at an open net eight minutes into the game, but the ball was cleared off the goal line by a Canisius defender. At the 26:20 mark, the Griffs' Karli Sullivan had a shot at point blank range that was stopped by Manhattan goalkeeper Jeanne Marie Gilbert.
The Lady Jaspers picked up the offensive pressure in the second half, outshooting Canisius 18-4 in the second half. Off a counter attack, Luther fed Garcia through the defense, leaving Garcia with only Griff goalkeeper Jenna Gage to beat. Garcia drew Gage off the line and chipped the ball over her to give Manhattan the win.
Gilbert made five saves in recording her fifth shutout of the year and 15th of her career, while Gage stopped 16 shots for Canisius, including 14 in the second half.
The Lady Jaspers return to action on Sunday, October 26, when they host MAAC foe Niagara in an important MAAC match at 10:00 a.m. at Gaelic Park.